Motors may get beach path ban

On the Broadwalk, you walk at your own risk. Fun-loving crowds flock to Hollywood's famed promenade by the dozens to enjoy cold beers, scenic views and peaceful walks along the beach. But critics say the Broadwalk can turn into a danger zone as pedestrians fight for space along the 30-foot-wide walkway with fast-moving bicycles, Segways, motorized Trikkes and low-riding three-wheeler banana bikes. Some people have been hit, walking away with minor scrapes. Others have had close calls. It's that potential for collision that has the powers that be at City Hall considering a plan to restrict the Broadwalk's bike path to bicycles only. "We don't want people run over," said Commissioner Patricia Asseff, who wants all electric vehicles banned from the 2.5-mile-long Broadwalk. "We've gotten a number of complaints from people who've almost been hit." Trikke fan Ashley James, 21, was none too happy with the news. "I don't think that's fair," said James, a Dania Beach resident who tried out the three-wheel scooter a month ago on Hollywood beach. "It's more fun than a regular bike. It's fun zooming by people instead of having heat stroke pedaling up and down the beach." Ali Witherspoon, a personal trainer who leads a beach bootcamp along the Broadwalk twice a week, predicts disaster if city leaders don't embrace the ban. "It's not the machine itself," he said. "It's the people that ride them." Leonard Ivler, owner of Sun & Fun Cycles, favors the ban as well. "The Broadwalk really wasn't meant for that," he said. "It was meant for biking and jogging and walking. Most of the people want to see these things gone." Hollywood commissioners will take their first vote on the proposal Wednesday during a 1 p.m. meeting. A second vote would be required for the ban to become final. First-time violators would face $50 fines. Getting caught again would bring a $100 fine. After that, the fines are $200. Those who fail to pay up could see their fine grow to $500. What prompted the move? "Resident outrage," Commissioner Kevin Biederman said of the motorized Trikkes that can zip up and down the Broadwalk at up to 20 mph, scaring tourists and locals alike. But on Tuesday, Mayor Peter Bober said he wasn't entirely sold on the idea. Instead, he thinks the city should post better signs to alert pedestrians to the existence of the bike lane -- so they stop meandering into the path of bicyclists. The mayor also proposes educating beachgoers about staying safe when they're on the Broadwalk, especially if they're on wheels. "Even someone operating a bike without a motor can cause a lot of damage if they are operating it like a moron," he said. Erik Seward, a co-owner of Hollywood Beach Trikke, opposes the ban. "If they pass this ban, it's going to put us out of business," Seward said. "That's going to kill our livelihood. This is how we pay our bills and feed our families." Hollywood resident Harvey Ostrow, 67, is all for the ban. "I just feel they are very unsafe," Ostrow said of the motorized bikes he's seen weaving in and out of the bike lane. "It's rough enough with all the other rental vehicles, bicycles and so forth. It's kind of an unsafe situation. I've seen accidents. I've seen people knocked down. It's a danger zone." He felt strongly enough about the issue to send an email this week to some of his city commissioners, urging them to come to the beach on a crowded weekend to see the problem first-hand. Biederman has already taken a guided tour of the beach -- on a Segway. He took his tour on a Sunday at 2 p.m., but said he didn't see "an epidemic" of the kind he has heard about. Hollywood's proposed ban does not extend to Segways, which have a top speed of 12.5 miles per hour. Seward said he's set his Trikkes to go 12 mph -- slower than a Segway. The way he sees it, the most dangerous wheels on the beach aren't the Segway or the Trikke, but the fast-turning banana bike. sbryan@tribune.com or 954-356-4554